One WWE star’s contract is expiring imminently.
After debuting on WWE’s main roster in April of 2008, Natalya has become the longest-tenured female wrestler in the company. She’s a former Divas Champion, SmackDown Women’s Champion, and Women’s Tag Team Champion, and Natalya also has multiple Guinness World Records to her name.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful recently reported that the star’s contract would be expiring soon, and on a recent edition of The Hump, he confirmed that the new deal has not yet been signed. Sapp said:
“Nattie is still set to be a free agent in a couple of weeks.” (h/t Cultaholic)
Natalya Is Beloved By The WWE Locker Room
On a special Women’s History Month edition of WWE’s The Bump back in March, Shayna Baszler, Liv Morgan, and Natalya were asked to name women that inspired them. Both Morgan and Baszler heaped praise on the Queen of Harts, with Morgan revealing that she was inspired in her own tryout by watching Nattie on Total Divas:
“I’m always inspired by Natty. I watched ‘Total Divas,’ and I knew I had a tryout coming up, and I’m watching ‘Total Divas’ and I’m seeing the life that you guys live, and I wanted that so, so, so badly, and just all that you continue to do.
You’ve had an unparalleled career in WWE, and you continue to use your voice, you continue to make sure that the women are represented in all our premium live events, including WrestleMania. It’s just, what you do is so much more than an in-ring scenario. You’re truly a pioneer and someone that I always look up to, and I hope that I can have as decorated and respected career as you have.”
Baszler added that the Hart family member goes to bat for others in the WWE locker room, and Morgan responded that the longtime veteran is an unsung hero in the company.
“Baszler: I think people don’t really know how Natty goes to bat for the women.
Morgan: She’s like an unsung hero.” (h/t Fightful)
Along similar lines of discussion, Bianca Belair recently advocated for Natalya to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame while still an active roster member.